Saving Seafood

Scientists: Southeast Alaska vulnerable to ocean acidification

February 22, 2019 — Southeast Alaska is poised to be among the first regions in the world affected by ocean acidification.

The Alaska Ocean Acidification Network hosted a public presentation Wednesday about the phenomenon that is making ocean water more acidic, and Alaska scientists explained why Southeast is likely to be impacted more quickly than other parts of the world.

Ocean acidification occurs when water absorbs carbon dioxide, which causes the water to become more acidic, and Southeast Alaska waters are uniquely positioned to be particularly susceptible to it, said Jessica Cross, an oceanographer for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

“There’s a couple of reasons for that,” Cross said. “One of them is glacial discharge. The second reason Southeast Alaska is more vulnerable to ocean acidification than other areas around the state is because of the communities themselves. When we talk about OA risk, we’re very interested in communities that rely on threatened species or threatened marine resources for economic value, cultural perspectives or subsistence food sources.”

Also, Cross said there are a few factors that make the water in the area naturally more acidic.

“I like to say Alaska waters are old and cold,” Cross said after the presentation.

Read the full story at the Juneau Empire

Maine’s lobster industry braces for ‘catastrophic’ cuts to bait fish catch

February 21, 2019 — For the second year in a row, federal regulators have dramatically reduced the amount of Atlantic herring fishermen can haul after scientists counted far fewer juvenile Atlantic herring in the waters from Canada to New Jersey.

While determining that Atlantic herring, the chief bait used by lobstermen, is not overfished, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said “recruitment” — the number of juvenile herring — is so low that last Friday they finalized a rule reducing by more than half the amount of Atlantic herring that fishermen may catch in 2019, from 50,000 metric tons to 21,000 metric tons.

Regulators hope the dramatic cut will prevent or reduce the risk of the fishery becoming depleted, NOAA said in a release.

The new limit has prompted predictions of bait shortages and sky-high prices and has members of Maine’s fishing community describing the situation as “catastrophic” and “devastating.”

“It’s huge,” Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, said. “Prices are going to go up, and lobstermen are going to be struggling to find as much bait as they are accustomed to.”

Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News

Ocean Acidification Could Affect Pacific Cod Development

February 20, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Scientists released results of a study showing that larval Pacific cod response to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels varies depending on its stage of development. In laboratory experiments, NOAA Fisheries scientists and partners specifically examined larval cod behavior, growth, and lipid composition (the fats needed for storing energy and building muscles). As excess CO2 from the atmosphere dissolves in the ocean, pH is lowered and the ocean increases in acidity, in a process called ocean acidification. Studies like this are important because most marine fish mortality occurs at the larval stage of development and the high-latitude oceans where Pacific cod and other important commercial fisheries occur are expected to be among the most vulnerable to ocean acidification.

“Changing environmental conditions can impact species in multiple ways and not all life stages may respond in the same way,” said Tom Hurst, NOAA Fisheries scientist and lead author of a new paper in Marine Environmental Research. “We wanted to explore this because it has implications for the sustainability of Pacific cod and other important fish stocks in Alaska.”

Hurst and a team of scientists from the Alaska Fisheries Science Center; and the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences and the Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies at Oregon State University conducted two laboratory studies to evaluate larval fish sensitivity to elevated CO2.

Read the full story here

Environmental groups seek injunction on air gun blasting until lawsuit decided

February 20, 2019 — Eight environmental firms filed for an injunction against the federal government on Wednesday, 20 February, in an attempt to block five companies from conducting seismic air gun blasting in the Atlantic Ocean until a lawsuit on the matter can be settled.

The request comes as the federal government could issue permits for the blasting as soon as 1 March, after NOAA announced in December that five permits could be issued for blasting in the Atlantic Ocean. That would enable companies to begin work, as part of a survey for potential oil and gas drilling, by the end of March.

Last December, the groups filed the lawsuit in a South Carolina federal court seeking to stop the blasting in an area ranging from New Jersey to central Florida. A month later, 16 South Carolina coastal cities, a chamber of commerce and the state’s attorney general filed their own lawsuit to block the permits, claiming the blasting could “destroy coastal fishing industries” in the state.

The two cases have since been combined.

In Wednesday’s filing, lawyers for the environmental groups said they could not reach an agreement that would keep the blasting from starting while the lawsuit worked its way through the court system.

“The harm Plaintiffs seek to prevent will begin as soon as seismic blasting does,” the document stated.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Tide turns as striped bass stock falters

February 19, 2019 — Striped bass, a summertime favorite with fishermen and diners, has joined the ranks of New England’s overfished species.

A summary from the Feb. 6 meeting of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board stated that a computer population model revealed the species was overfished in 2017 and that fishermen were still catching too many fish to sustain the population.

The report is part of a scheduled deeper, peer-reviewed analysis by the commission and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. Known as a benchmark assessment, it incorporates new information and gives fishery managers a more accurate picture of the status of a fish stock than an annual assessment. It’s a reality check, and while it isn’t official, the result of the striped bass assessment will likely be the same as the draft version when the final report is issued at their next meeting April 30, said Michael Armstrong, chairman of the striped bass board and an assistant director at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Declaring the species overfished does not mean a return to the 1980s, Armstrong said, when a coastwide moratorium was instituted after striped bass stocks collapsed due to overfishing and degraded environmental conditions, particularly in spawning areas.

“The sky is not falling,” he said. “Stocks don’t fall overnight.”

Even though recent species barometers have indicated a downturn in population, the stock remains at levels far above what they were nearly 40 years ago.

Read the full story from the Cape Cod Times at the New Bedford Standard-Times

NOAA Fisheries Publishes U.S. National Bycatch Report

February 19, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is committed to minimizing bycatch in U.S. fisheries, to increase the sustainability of our fisheries and help protected species recover. The NOAA Fisheries National Bycatch Report First Edition Update 3 includes bycatch estimates for major U.S. fisheries for the years 2014 and 2015. This report is the only national-level report published by NOAA Fisheries that summarizes fish, marine mammal, sea turtle, and seabird bycatch estimates on a regular basis. The report provides information on overall bycatch trends and may also inform fishery monitoring priorities.

Bycatch estimates in the report generally are indicative of bycatch amounts in particular fisheries, or relative levels of bycatch across fisheries. Data summary and analysis methods used in the report to produce comparable bycatch estimates across fisheries and regions do not reflect individual aspects of specific fisheries. The estimates may not represent the best available bycatch data for management purposes. Therefore, report data should not be used for day-to-day management of fisheries, but rather considered as a source of information on bycatch at a national level.

Greater Atlantic:

  • This report includes fish bycatch estimates for 34 fisheries for 2014, and 35 fisheries for 2015.
  • The previous report had fish bycatch estimates for only 24 fisheries.

Southeast:

  • The report includes fish bycatch estimates for the Southeastern Atlantic shrimp trawl fishery, as well as bycatch numbers for the Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline research fishery.
  • It also includes updated sea turtle bycatch estimates for Southeast shrimp trawl fisheries.

Alaska

  • The report adds bycatch estimates for 10 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab fisheries under joint federal and state management.
  • Partially in response to suggestions from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Alaska section has changed how some groundfish and halibut fisheries are defined to more accurately reflect how they are managed and prosecuted.

Looking Ahead

We are working on multiple fronts to improve our approach to bycatch, including recently asking stakeholders for ideas on how to improve the National Bycatch Report. This current report does not reflect changes based on this feedback process. We are reviewing the stakeholder comments and expect to make improvements to future versions of the report as necessary.

Read the full release here

Extended: Voluntary Vessel Speed Restriction Zone South of Nantucket to Protect Right Whales

February 19, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area – DMA) previously established south of Nantucket has been extended to protect an aggregation of 19 right whales sighted in this area on February 17.

This DMA is in effect through March 5, 2019.

Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less.

Nantucket DMA coordinates:

41 12 N
40 28 N
070 36 W
069 31 W

Active Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs)

Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:

Cape Cod Bay SMA — in effect through May 15

Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs (includes Block Island) — in effect through April 30

Southeast U.S. SMA — in effect through April 15

More info on Seasonal Management Areas

Right Whales Are Migrating

North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. With an unprecedented 20 right whale deaths documented in 2017 and 2018, NOAA is cautioning boaters to give these endangered whales plenty of room as they migrate south. We are also asking commercial fishermen to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales, remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements, and use vertical lines with required markings, weak links, and breaking strengths.

Right Whales in Trouble

North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists estimate there are slightly more than 400 remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.

In August 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared the increase in right whale mortalities an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which helps the agency direct additional scientific and financial resources to investigating, understanding, and reducing the mortalities in partnership with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and outside experts from the scientific research community.

More Info

Recent right whale sightings

Find out more about our right whale conservation efforts and the researchers behind those efforts.

Download the Whale Alert app for iPad and iPhone

Acoustic detections in Cape Cod Bay and the Boston TSS

Send a blank message to receive a return email listing all current U.S. DMAs and SMAs.

Details and graphics of all ship strike management zones currently in effect.

Reminder: Approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law.

Questions? Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, at 978-281-9103

Read the full release here

Recreational Fishing and Boating Community and NOAA Sign Memorandum of Agreement

February 19, 2019 — The following was released by the American Sportfishing Association:

This morning representatives from the recreational fishing and boating community, NOAA Fisheries and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to develop and expand a framework of cooperation for planning and implementing mutually beneficial projects and activities to promote sustainable recreational fishing and boating conducted within federal marine waters, including national marine sanctuaries.

John Armor, Director of National Marine Sanctuaries for NOAA; Sam Rauch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs for NOAA; and Frank Peterson, President and CEO of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) signed the MOA at a ceremony during the Miami International Boat Show.

They were joined on stage by Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

“Recreational fishermen are some of our nation’s most important conservationists. NOAA is excited about our continued collaboration with the recreational sector and the growing support for outdoor recreation as a driver of our Nation’s Blue Economy,” said RDML Timothy Gallaudet, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting NOAA Administrator. “This agreement will strengthen the partnership with NOAA, ensuring that sustainable recreational fishing and boating continue to benefit coastal communities and enrich the lives of millions of Americans.”

“We are thrilled to enter this MOA with NOAA and the fishing and boating industry to increase angler recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) efforts that will allow recreation opportunities for children, youth and families,” said RBFF President Frank Peterson. “This partnership will not only help improve fishing and boating experiences overall, but also support the conservation of our marine aquatic resources. It will also help us meet our 60 in 60 goal to grow participation, which benefits the entire industry.”

“The combined efforts of the sportfishing industry, the boating industry and our federal partners working together to promote our sport is beneficial to our economy, the health and well-being of our society and the conservation of our public waters,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “I thank NOAA for its willingness to work together with us to responsibly grow recreational fishing in saltwater.”

Read the full release here

NOAA Signs Memorandum of Agreement with Recreational Fishing and Boating Interests

February 15, 2019 — The following was release by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA Fisheries and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to cooperate on communications, messaging, and education with regard to sustainable fishing and boating in federal waters, including national marine sanctuaries.

The MOA commits all parties to a series of actions intended to improve communication and engagement around sustainable recreational fishing and boating activities. Commitments include, among others, establishing points of contact, meeting on a regular basis, information sharing, collaborative educational and promotional activities, and working to address barriers to sustainable boating and fishing. The purpose and objectives of the MOA are consistent with the purposes of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to “promote domestic commercial and recreational fishing under sound conservation and management…” The MOA is also consistent with the principle tenets of NOAA Fisheries National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy and planned Agency work to more actively engage the recreational fishing community in 2019-2020. Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, stated, ” I am proud of the work NOAA Fisheries does to provide opportunities and memorable experiences for saltwater anglers everywhere.”

The MOA is in alignment with ONMS strategic goals, which recognize that public support through partnerships is critical to effective protection, sustainable use and enjoyment of sanctuaries, so they may continue to serve as the basis for thriving recreation, tourism and commercial activities.

We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about the MOA and how to best engage with NOAA Fisheries and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Please feel free to contact Russell Dunn, National Policy Advisor on Recreational Fisheries or Grace Bottitta-Williamson, National Recreation and Tourism Coordinator/ONMS, for questions regarding NOAA Fisheries or NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, respectively.

You can also contact GARFO’s Recreational Fisheries Coordinator, Moira Kelly, at 978-281-9218.

Read the full release here

Ambitious new plan to save Atlantic salmon has big price tag

February 15, 2019 — The federal government outlined an ambitious, potentially costly new plan to restore Atlantic salmon in the United States, where rivers teemed with the fish before dams, pollution and overfishing decimated their populations.

The Atlantic salmon has declined in the U.S. to the point where the last remaining wild populations of in the U.S. exist only in a handful of rivers in Maine. But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are offering a new recovery plan to bring back those fish, which are listed under the Endangered Species Act.

The plan would take decades to fully implement, and it focuses on strategies such as removals of dams, installations of fish passages and increasing the number of salmon that survive in the ocean. It states that the estimated cost is about $24 million per year, not including money federal departments already spend on salmon recovery work.

How that money would materialize at this point is unclear. But the plan gives the species a roadmap to recovery, said Peter Lamothe, program manager for the Maine fish and wildlife complex for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“It gives all of the partners involved in this what to shoot for — what we collectively need to achieve to recover the species,” Lamothe said. “It gives us a path forward.”

Atlantic salmon are readily available to seafood consumers because of extensive aquaculture, but the wild fish have been declining in the Gulf of Maine since the 19th century.

Back then, 100,000 adult salmon returned annually to Maine’s Penobscot River, which remains the most important river for the species in America.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the New Bedford Standard-Times